I consider myself a generous person. I regularly drop a couple of bucks in the Salvation Army bucket at Christmas time, and buy wreaths from the Cub Scouts. My old clothing gets donated to a veteran’s group. These things occur outside of work, where I don’t feel compelled to contribute.

At my job, there are a few worthy causes to which I gladly contribute. One coworker has a charity in his child’s name for a devastating disease. When it’s Girl Scout Cookie Season, I gladly fork over some dough for my favorites. I participate in every blood drive that I can.

What bothers me though is the prevalence of people looking for donations. Guys that don’t even acknowledge me in the hallway suddenly become my best friend when their kids have to sell wrapping paper or magazine subscriptions for dance classes. Cubicles brim with signs selling chocolate for the so-and-so Little League. If I decline, I look like a cheapskate. It’s an uncomfortable position to be put in.

My company participates in various charities, from walkathons to cake sales to helping kids learn to read. They also collect from our paychecks for a large, well-known charity, which I have no problem with. But, here’s the kicker: for the entire enrollment period for the charity donation, we were sent a daily nag via email reminding us that there were only X amount of days to make our donation. Who needs this? I was afraid that they were going to start posting pictures of those who had yet to donate. I mean, is this pushing it, or what?

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